Winning artist to spend six weeks as NYC resident

TIRANA, Dec.5- The contemporary art competition “Coming 2007” organized by The Institute for Contemporary Art in Tirana jointly with the Civil society Foundation in New York awarded the first prize as well as the possibility spend six weeks in NYC to the Albanian young artist Irgin Sena. Different art pieces such as paintings, photos, videos and installations from seven different competitors: Theodoraq Napoloni, Yllka Gjollesha, Genti Gjikopulli, Leonard Qylafi, Era Tula, Fani Zguro and Irgin Sena were presented at the Academy of Arts. According to one of the organizers it was hard top come up with a definitive list of competitors because there are many young artists who are successful at home and abroad. Sena presented two videos, one a analyzing the relationships between political leaders and crowds or mobs and the other analyzing daily responses of common people to outside factors. The first one was entitled “electric touch” and the second one “No title”. Sena has his diploma from the Academy of Arts but has continued his education and training in New York and in the Karlsruhe Academy in Germany. The coming exemplifies the presence of young art in Albania and the contribution of politically aware art in reflecting upon the developments that are hitting especially the Albanian capital. The winner was selected by a jury panel. The American Embassy is one of the main supporters of this event that tries to promote art and support young artists into having diverse development opportunities.